What is the News ?

Recently, the Prime Minister of India actively conveyed greetings to the people on the auspicious occasion of Nuakhai Juhar.

Facts About:

• Nuakhai Juhar is a significant social festival celebrated in Western Odisha and parts of Simdega in Jharkhand.
• The term 'Nuakhai' combines 'nua,' meaning 'new,' and 'khai,' signifying 'food.'
• This agricultural festival marks the welcoming of the fresh rice harvest of the season.
• It falls on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada or Bhadra (August-September), following the Ganesh Chaturthi festival.
• Rituals:
• Nuakhai is associated with nine colors, leading to nine sets of pre-celebration rituals.
• People offer the newly harvested crop, known as Nabanha, to their respective deities.
• Following the Nabanha offering, individuals savor various delicacies made from the freshly harvested produce.
• A central ritual of the Nuakhai Juhar is a significant highlight of the festival.

What is the News ?

Vanadium, a critical raw material for many industrial applications, has been found in sediment samples collected from Gulf of Khambhat, which opens into the Arabian Sea off Alang in Gujarat.

Facts About:

• Vanadium is a chemical element with the symbol "V" and atomic number 23.
• Vanadium is a naturally occurring element found in minerals and ores.

                  It was first discovered in the early 19th century.

• It is a transition metal known for its various applications in science and industry.

Applications:

• Strengthens Steel: One of its primary uses is as an alloying agent in steel production.

            Vanadium steel is renowned for its exceptional strength, durability, and resistance to corrosion.

            It is commonly used in manufacturing tools, knives, and structural components in construction.

• Aerospace Alloys: Vanadium alloys are utilized in aerospace applications, such as jet engines and rocket frames, due to their high-temperature resistance and lightweight properties.
• Batteries: Vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs) are emerging as a promising energy storage technology.

            They offer scalability and long cycle life, making them suitable for grid-level energy storage.

• Catalysts: Vanadium compounds act as catalysts in chemical reactions, particularly in the production of sulfuric acid and maleic anhydride.
• Medical Applications: Vanadium has potential health benefits and is being studied for its role in managing diabetes and its antioxidant properties.
• Dye and Pigment Production: Vanadium compounds are used in the manufacture of dyes, pigments, and ceramics.
• Metallurgy: Vanadium is employed in the refining of certain metals like aluminum and titanium.
• Nuclear Applications: In nuclear reactors, vanadium serves as a structural material due to its neutron-absorbing properties.
• Research and Development: Vanadium's unique properties make it valuable for scientific research, including studies in material science and chemistry.

Vanadium's versatility and strength-enhancing properties find application in various industries, from steel manufacturing to energy storage and even potential health-related uses, making it a vital element in modern technology and innovation.

What is the News ?

Recently, the Union Minister of Civil Aviation actively launched an e-wallet payment option on the Bharatkosh portal.

Facts About:

• The Bharatkosh portal is an initiative led by the Controller General of Accounts under the Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
• It serves as a unified platform for depositing various fees, fines, and other payments directly into the government's account.
• The portal integrates all Civil Ministries and Departments of the Government of India for streamlined financial transactions.
• Its primary objective is to offer round-the-clock, year-round electronic payment services, enabling users to deposit funds into the government's account through internet-based payment technologies from the convenience of their location via the web-based portal.
• In doing so, it aligns with the government's commitment to e-Governance, ensuring efficient, effective, and excellent government services accessible anytime and anywhere.

What is the News ?

Recently, researchers at Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) named a new species of marine tardigrade after the late former President and scientist A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

Facts About:

• Batillipes Kalami, the newly discovered species found in Mandapam, southeast Tamil Nadu, belongs to the Batillipes genus.
• Notably, it's the second marine tardigrade discovered in Indian waters and the first from the east coast.
• This species is also the first of its kind taxonomically described from India and is the 37th species within the Batillipes genus.

Physical characteristics:

• It typically measures around 170 micrometres (0.17 mm) in length and approximately 50 micrometres (0.05 mm) in width.
• Its head has a trapezoid shape with sharp-tipped filament-like appendages (cirri) extending from it.
• Each of its four pairs of legs features sensory spines of varying lengths.
• Females are slightly larger than males.

What is the News ?

The Union Minister for Youth Affairs & Sports honored athletes supported by the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS) in New Delhi.

Facts About:

• The Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons (PDUNWFS) was established in March 1982.
• Its primary goal is to support former exceptional athletes who are now facing financial hardship but had previously brought honor to India through their sporting achievements.
• In May 2016, the scheme underwent revisions, enabling it to provide one-time financial assistance to former exceptional athletes.
• This scheme covers athletes across the entire nation and is designed to enhance the well-being of sportspersons and their families by alleviating financial distress.
• The scheme can be applied to individual athletes or groups of active sportspersons.